A collection of crystal-clear, pure-folk gems from Joan Baez - and friends. The blatantly anti-war "And the bank played Waltzing Matilda" is bitter-sweet: pain and sorrow in the lyrics, Joan singing bright as a summer stream... Dylan's"Ring Them Bells" (with Mary Black), and "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" (with the Indigo Girls)... Tim Hardin's "Don't Make Promises You Can't Keep" great bluesy beat... Richard Farina' "Swallow Song" (beautifully harmonised with Mimi; Richard's widow and Joan's sister) and, my favourite, the heart-rending, sadly-hopeful "Jesse", with Janis Ian together with the other songs on this CD, go to make the most memorable Joan Baez collection I've ever heard.
The songs were recorded during a series of shows in the small-club setting of the Bottom Line, giving an intimate and warm atmosphere. Well over twenty-five years after she made her first commercial recording, Joan Baez is still here: making music, singing sunshine and keeping the folk thread spinning.
Regardless of how much--or how little--you know of Joan Baez and the '60s protest-folk scene, give this one a listen--and don't forget to sing along!
